Defiant talk

SIMON CORNEY: "It's a struggle — but we will get through to the end of the season."

SIMON Corney has attacked what he describes as “scare-mongering” over Athletic’s finances.

Wages that were expected to be deposited in player and staff bank accounts last Friday did not materialise and the club have since promised to pay up by the end of this month.

It is the second successive occasion in which pay packets have been delayed, fuelling fears in some quarters that administration is imminent.

Such an event would lead to an automatic 10-point Football League penalty, substantially increasing the chances of relegation to npower League Two.

But a combative Corney said that the club are entitled to follow this course of action — and maintains that Athletic are free of debt and form an example of good governance in football.

“We are technically within our rights to wait until the end of the month to pay,” said Athletic’s chairman, following last night’s 0-0 home draw with Tranmere.

“The fact that we normally do so by the last Friday in the month is something we have chosen to do in the past.

“But we will get the wages paid by the end of the month and it really isn’t a problem.

“I think people are scare-mongering and trying to cause problems, but we are absolutely fine.

“It is a struggle and nobody is denying that, month to month, but we will get through to the end of the season, somehow, some way.

“I have always said that and nothing has changed.

“I understand people are concerned, but they have to realise we are not in a bad situation.

“I say it all the time, we don’t have any debt. We are one of the better run clubs, whether people believe it or not.

“I think some people do try to cause trouble and stir things up, but it is absolutely fine.”

Athletic’s future beyond this season remains uncertain. Though the club is up for sale, nobody has come yet forward to express an interest.

Corney said he has “no choice” but to stay on until that happens and, along with the rest of the club’s board of directors, is still focused on trying to secure a new site for a stadium in conjunction with the Council.

“We had a couple of meetings in the last month with the chief executive (Charlie Parker),” Corney added.

“They are trying to accommodate us and help us where they can.

“But it isn’t easy. There isn’t a lot of money around and there isn’t a lot of land around.

“It is a slow process and I have said that continuously over the past few months.

“We are trying.”